Coincidences

Sometimes random events intriguingly lead to some interesting coincidences which has been a trend over the past few days. 

1st coincidence: After departing Kerikeri and an uneventful 3-hour flight, the Bazflyers landed on Norfolk Island around midday. Whenever we have visited Norfolk Island we’ve always stayed at the Paradise Hotel. Friendly and obliging hosts. This time the mere mention of venturing into the village for lunch was challenged with the keys to a red Mercedes sports car. Lunch was pleasant but when it came time for the short drive back to the hotel we were unable to start the Merc. Our hosts came to the rescue and after explaining an idiosyncrasy involving the key and foot brake we were encouraged to lower the roof and go for a drive around the island….!

2nd coincidence: Monday morning started with an unhurried departure from Norfolk Island. This was followed by another uneventful overwater flight but this time the flight was 5-hours. Remarkably our landing time at Gold Coast airport turned out to be the identical local time as the previous day’s arriving aonNorfolk Island. Additionally, the hour meter in BAZ was reading 600.0 when the engine was stopped for the day…!

3rd coincidence: Today the Bazflyers made the 3-hour flight from the Gold Coast inland to the town of Bourke. Forecast weather conditions along the eastern seaboard did not look too good for the remainder of the week with thunderstorm and heavy rain. All last night it bucketed rain on the Gold Coast so with a temporary respite forecast for this morning the decision to fly inland was a no brainer. 

On-route to Bourke

                                                                      BAZ parked at Bourke

Bazcopilot is a keen woman aviator and Bourke airport is named in honour of Nancy-Bird Walton (1915-2009) a pioneering Australian woman aviator and local identity. In the 1930s, defying the traditional role of females of her time, she became a fully qualified pilot at the age of 19, and became the youngest Australian woman to gain a pilot's licence. She went on to provide an early Flying Doctor service to outback areas of NSW using her own Gipsy Moth that she later replaced with a more suitable aircraft.

Nancy-Bird Walton AO, OBE, DStJ.